THE AQUARIAN EMPATH

A BRIGHTSTAR EMPOWERMENT

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IRMA KAYE SAWYER — CHAPTER ONE — WHAT IS AN EMPATH?

Greetings, dear readers! I know a lot of you reading this today are probably well aware that you are empathic, but for those who are just discovering this, I have included some helpful information for you as well. So technically, what is an empath? An empath is one who intuitively picks up the feelings, energies, and thoughts of others. They tend to be connected to the world of the unseen and Spirit from an early age, communicating with their departed loved ones or “imaginary friends,” who are very much real to them. They are very sensitive individuals, and may be prone to more physical and/or emotional challenges than their non-empathic counterparts. They are heart-driven people, and take their relationships seriously. They may also have a tendency toward over-empathy, which can easily lead to codependence. Strong personal boundaries are a must for an empathic person to maintain a healthy and balanced life. If you are empathic, you know it all too well: you feel as if you’re going to scream if you see one more abandoned animal or impoverished child commercial. You tend to hide at parties and talk to the plants and animals, because they understand you and don't tell you all their problems. Ah, the life of an empath! So, is it possible to transform from a life of pain and hassle to a life of bliss and blessings? I'm here to tell you about exactly that, dear ones.

Beloved empath, it is your task to love yourself as Source loves you. You are truly important to this world, and have a divine purpose. Do not let the ugliness and pain of this world dim your light or make you become ill. Honor yourself, take care of yourself, and go shining. —The Keepers, 05.07.2012

First, the down side: those who are empathic tend to have more physical and emotional issues than those who are not as empathic. Some of the most common maladies attributed to the highly sensitive/empathic are: fibromyalgia, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), asthma, stomach issues, anxiety, and depression, to name a few. Illness is never fun, and if you're empathic you often have to guard your health the way the security staff guards Fort Knox— a hassle at times, but definitely required maintenance on this precious vehicle called the physical body. I know from personal experience that if you do not take proper care of your vehicle, just as you would take care of your car, it may break down at the most inconvenient time possible. I highly recommend taking care of yourself both spiritually and energetically before problems even start. Grounding and Centering are vital processes for empaths. The codependency of others is another difficulty often experienced by empaths. They literally feel the pain and problems of others so deeply, and want to help them in any way possible. Empaths can easily become a drug, crutch, or an on-call spiritual advisor for many, which dis-empowers both the empath and the other person. Becoming lost in the drama and issues of another is also a convenient and often overlooked way for the empath to avoid feeling or looking at their own issues. Many who identify as empaths come from dysfunctional environments, where they learned from a young age to take care of everyone else first, placing the needs of others before their own. Many empaths and highly sensitive people share a "collective karma"— a lesson in what my teacher used to so wisely call "Putting yourself first in your own life." If our cup is empty, we are no good to anyone— even ourselves. Yet to shift from this pattern is not something that can be expected to happen overnight, as it was not created overnight. Chances are, those who have been emotionally "caretaken" their entire lives will not exactly jump for joy when things begin to change. It is extremely important to be patient with others as well as our selves while in what I call The Empath Empowerment Learning Curve. We are moving into the Aquarian Age, which is all about personal boundaries and responsibility. The empaths are the ones here to demonstrate these qualities to this world. It may not make them the most popular or the most liked person, but that's all right— we are learning to no longer base our self-worth on the opinions of other people, aren’t we, my friends?

The Empath Test

1. Are you very sensitive to the thoughts and emotions of others, often confusing them as your own?

2. Are you an “emotional sponge” who absorbs the energy of others and the environment, even from a distance?

3. Do you instinctively know when someone is being dishonest with you, but often keep these thoughts to yourself?

4. Do you find that people often tell you their issues and secrets, including complete strangers, or people you do not know well?

5. Do you have a great need to take “time outs” from life for re-centering and recharging your psychic and physical batteries?

6. Have you known about your empathic abilities since childhood, but did not really understand them?

7. Do you sometimes “check out” with food, sex, alcohol, or drugs, to try to cope with your nature?

8. Do you have a somewhat “put on” or false personality you show to the world, reserving your true face and nature for only those you trust?

9. Do you have the ability to facilitate the process of growth in those around you?

10. Have you battled with depression, anxiety, and perhaps suicidal thoughts, especially in your young adult years? On the up side, empaths are among some of the most witty, creative, intelligent, and spiritually aware people on the planet. They often have advanced skills and abilities in clairvoyance, clairsentience, healing, and telepathy. I've met enough empaths over the years to know this for certain. I loved the character of Deanna Troi on Star Trek: The Next Generation, an empath serving as the ship counselor due to her advanced clairsentient and telepathic abilities. Her character was portrayed as a sensitive, but also a strong, spiritual, and very intelligent being— as multi-faceted as we truly are!

Important Advice for Empaths

1. Find others who respect and understand you. As you learn to love and respect yourself in a greater capacity, healthy and supportive people will be magnetized to you naturally.

2. Don't isolate for non-therapeutic reasons or long periods of time, but do take mini time-outs and vacations as needed, to regroup and recharge.

3. Teach through love, but keep firm boundaries.

4. Learn to walk away from those who are verbally, physically, or emotionally abusive.

5. Try to keep an outlook on the "bright side" of life, and avoid negative or depressing media and people.

6. Notice when and if you are using food, television, shopping, or any other behaviors or substances to "numb out," and adjust your world accordingly. If you have a problem with addictive substances or behaviors, please seek help.

7. Honor your needs— physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Love your beautiful self!